Summer is finally here! Since your kids and grandkids are out of school, why not get them involved in something fun that teaches a valuable life lesson too? Here, we share the simple steps for running their very own lemonade stand: pick a charity, make a delicious drink, bake a few sweet treats, and experience the joy that comes from giving back.
Step 1: Select your cause
• Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Join kids around the country and help fund research to beat childhood cancer with the original lemonade stand for charity.
• Boys & Girls Club of America
With branches around the nation, and locally in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Columbia, the Boys & Girls Club of America provides a safe and positive place for kids in need. Here, young people can achieve a healthy lifestyle, strong character, and educational success.
Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg www.bgchbg.org / 717-234-3268 Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster and Columbia www.bgclanc.org / 717-295-3474
• Your Public Library
If you’re looking for a way to give back that really hits home with your kids, donate to the public library. Your contribution can help them purchase new reading material and technologies, as well as fund special events and programs that occur in your own neighborhood.
• A Week Away Foundation
A Lancaster-based organization, A Week Away Foundation finances and coordinates restful vacations for families who are dealing with a life-threatening illness, enabling them to find the peace and energy to continue fighting the disease.
www.aweekaway.org / 717-742-5481
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children
CASA is a national organization that provides qualified and compassionate court-appointed volunteer advocates to children who have been abused and neglected. Locally, CASA serves Lancaster, Cumberland, and York Counties.
CASA of Lancaster County www.casalancaster.org / 717-208-3280 CASA of Cumberland County 717-240-6159 CASA of York County / 717-771-9754
• Caitlin’s Smiles
If your child is interested in the arts, here’s a great option. Harrisburg-based Caitlin’s Smiles distributes arts and crafts kits to hospitals for children facing serious or chronic illnesses.
www.caitlins-smiles.org / 717-412-4759
• Power Packs Project
No child should have to experience hunger. Power Packs Project in Lancaster provides weekend food and nutritional information to families in need during times when school lunch programs are not available.
www.powerpacksproject.org / 717-283-9350
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brother Big Sisters is a national organization with local programs throughout the Susquehanna Valley. Through one-on-one relationships with volunteer mentors, children are given the confidence to reach their full potential.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region / www.capbigs.org / 717-236-0199 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lancaster County / www.bbbslancaster.org / 717-397-7567 Big Brothers Big Sisters of York & Adams Counties / www.bbbsyorkadams.org / 717-843-0051
• Olivia’s House
Helping local children cope with grief and loss, Olivia’s House now offers locations in both York and Hanover.
www.oliviashouse.org / 717-699-1133 (York) and 717-698-3586 (Hanover)
• Music for Everyone
Do your kids love music? You might like to donate to Music for Everyone, a Lancaster-based non-profit that raises awareness and resources for music in area schools and communities.
www.musicforeveryone.net / 717-871-1710
Step 2: Make your lemonade
Use this basic recipe, or add a few special ingredients for an upcharge. It is for charity after all!
Perfect Lemonade
Ingredients: • 1 cup sugar • 6 cups water • Pinch of salt • ½ cup lemon juice (fresh-squeezed is best, but bottled works in a pinch)
Directions:
1. Combine sugar and water in a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and chill for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
2. Once cool, combine the mixture with a pinch of salt and lemon juice in a pitcher. Mix in flavor additions if using. Serve over ice.
Step 3: Bake your goodies
Read on for three mouthwatering baked goods that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Sweet ‘n’ Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients: • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder • 2 teaspoons coarse salt • 1 ¼ cups (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature • 1 ½ cups packed light-brown sugar • 1 cup granulated sugar • 2 large eggs • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract • 1 ¼ cups milk chocolate chips • 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F, with racks in upper and lower thirds.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars on medium-high until light and fluffy, 6 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low and beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in vanilla. Mix in flour mixture just until incorporated; fold in chocolate chips and chunks.
4. Using a large spoon, drop dough 3 inches apart, on each of two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until edges are light golden brown, 14 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. Bake remaining dough using new parchment.
Fluffernutter Crisp Rice Treats
Ingredients: • 1 (10-ounce) bag regular sized marshmallows • ¼ cup unsalted butter • ½ cup creamy peanut butter • 5 cups crisp rice cereal • 1 ¼ cup mini marshmallows • 1 (10-ounce) bag peanut butter morsels, melted • 2 bags (8 ounces each) miniature peanut butter cups
Directions:
1. Prepare an 8-inch square baking dish by lining with parchment paper or buttered foil. Set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows and turn heat to low. Stir until completely smooth. Remove from heat and quickly stir in peanut butter. Add cereal.
3. Fold in the mini marshmallows. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Very gently, smooth the top of the mixture. Do not press them in tightly. Spread melted peanut butter morsels over the top.
4. Top the melted peanut butter morsels with the peanut butter cups, pressing them in. Allow to set, about one hour. Cut into squares and serve.
Easy Lemon Crumble Bars
Ingredients: • ½ cup (1 stick) of butter • ½ cup sugar • ¼ cup light-brown sugar • 1½ cup flour • 1 cup lemon curd Directions: 1. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl, about 1 minute or until completely melted.
2. Remove from the microwave, add the sugars and stir to combine.
3. Add in the flour and stir. Mixture will be dry and crumbly. Set aside about 3/4 cup of the crust/crumble topping.
4. Spoon the remaining crust mixture into a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Distribute the crust mixture evenly through the baking pan and press down with a spoon so that it forms the crust.
5. Add the cup of lemon curd on top of the crust, and sprinkle the top with the remaining crumble mixture.
6. Bake at 350°F for approximately 35 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Place into the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour to further set the bars prior to cutting and serving.
7. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve.
By Hannah Wigton, Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer
